To celebrate Independence Day, there will be a grand fireworks show at the Stennis Lock and Dam, East Bank, on July 1. “Fireworks on the Water” will be a presentation of Columbus Air Force Base, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Visit Columbus, the City of Columbus, Lowndes County and a host of other participating sponsors. Gates open at 5 p.m., and it will be a safe, fun event for the whole family.
One hundred thirty-eight years ago the Fourth of July was celebrated in Aberdeen with a barbecue held by “Colored Fire Company No. 1.” The following account appeared in the July 10, 1879, Aberdeen Examiner:
“The colored Fire Company No. 1, of Aberdeen, in conformity to usage that has obtained with that element of society since the war, celebrated the Fourth of July, by turning out in full force and uniform, and giving a huge Barbecue at the railroad tank, about a mile from the city. … [The celebration was held] last Friday at the railroad tank, as afore said. The Rough and Ready colored Fire Company of Columbus, in response to invitation, joined them on this occasion, and arrived in Aberdeen at an early hour on Friday morning, having been transported over the country upon wagons, in consequence of the low stage of water in the Tombigbee not admitting of an excursion upon the Little Corporal, as per original programme. After the two fire companies, and those of the white citizens who had been invited and requested to attend, had arrived upon the grounds, the programme was begun by the reading of the Declaration of Independence by Beny Ward. … An important and very commendable feature in the government of Company No. 1 is the universal absence of politics at their meetings; at no time during the sessions of the company, or at their celebrations, are political speeches permitted to be made, and all who addressed the assembly on the occasion of the celebration last Friday, confined themselves exclusively to matters pertaining to education, domestic concerns, anecdotes and other subjects of a non-political nature. After the reading of the Declaration Of 1776, C.F. Westbrooks, a colored teacher, was introduced, and made a speech in which he advised his race to improve every advantage and facility afforded them for the education of their children, and gave other good advice. Mayor T. B. Sykes being called for, responded in very appropriate remarks concerning their duty as firemen, and devoted the remainder of his talk to relating side-splitting anecdotes and humorous stories, to the delight of his hearers. Capt. J.W. Lee was also called, and in a short speech “tickled their fancy” and retired, with applause. At this juncture dinner was announced, and the two companies formed into line at the tap of a drum, and took their respective places at the tables, while the invited white guests were conducted to tables which had been prepared for them …”
While there was no listing of the members of the Black Aberdeen Firemen, a Columbus paper provided the names of the officers of the Columbus Rough and Ready Fire Company. Jack Rabb was aid to the fire chief, Henry Lovely was foreman, Dig Blewett was first assistant foreman, Titus Gilmer was second assistant foreman, Bev Wright was secretary and James Moore was treasurer. The fire company’s official name was “Rough and Ready Hand Engine Company,” and their meetings were held the second Tuesday of each month.
The Aberdeen barbecue was an example of the close relationships between the volunteer fire companies of the area communities. When there were large fires, they traveled with horse-drawn steam engines and on wagons to assist neighboring towns. There was a disastrous fire in downtown Aberdeen in 1882 and in response to a call for aid “the Lurline Steam Fire Company, the Hook and Ladder trucks with a select company of 25 men” were sent from Columbus to help Aberdeen. I have wondered if they went by boat, by rail or if they were quite a spectacle with the engine steaming and the horses racing pell mell up the dirt roads to Aberdeen.
Rufus Ward is a Columbus native a local historian. E-mail your questions about local history to Rufus at [email protected].
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